Written by a parent, not a doctor. Nothing here is medical advice.

Get ready to apply

HOSTS for HOSPITALS

Patient-Family Guest Lodging

What you get

Host-home or other lodging during medical care, with a $20 nightly service fee per family. Open now, but funds are limited, so ask early.

Who starts it
You
How it’s sent
Email to lodging@hostsforhospitals.org
Your time
About 30 minutes
Last checked
Aug 27, 2026

Before you start, check you fit

  • A housing match is not assured for specific dates.
  • Guests undergo screening and need a permanent home to return to.
  • The family pays $20 per night and supplies food, transportation, and toiletries.
  1. What their form asksA preview, so you can gather things first. Fill it in on their site.

    Open their application ↗ Checked Aug 27, 2026

    Send it by email to lodging@hostsforhospitals.org.

    What the form asks for

    Applicant and referral
    Person filling out this application: First Name / Last NameStreet Address; City; State/Province/Region; Zip/Postal Code; Country; Phone Number; Email AddressRelation to PatientPerson referring patient-family: name, phone, email, institution, department, and position
    Patient and medical trip
    Patient First Name / Last NamePatient address, phone number, email address, and birthdayHospital being treated at in Philadelphia; Medical Department; Lead Physician (if known); Condition receiving treatment forWill the patient be a guestExpected start date for lodging / Expected end date for lodging
    Guest party and host-home fit
    Besides Patient (if lodging), how many guests at most will need lodging at one timeFor each Guest 1-6: name, address, phone, email, birthday, relation to patient, and expected start/end datesHow many beds are needed? / How many rooms are neededIf need be, are you able to take turns in a bathroom with a member of the host-family? If not, WhyDo any of your guests smoke? If Yes, who and about how many cigarettes each dayWill guests be at the home a lot during the day? If Yes, Please explainDo you plan on having a car? If need be, will you be able to rent a car or take a service such as UberDo any guests need wheelchair access? Will guests wish to use the kitchen? Do any guests have limitations going up and down stairs; if yes, what maximum stairs can be managedDo any guests have reactions to cats? / Do any guests have reactions to dogsDo the guests speak English? If not, what language(s) do the guests speak
    Adult guest character references
    Guest name, reference name and contact information for each guest
    Pre-arrival liability release and demographics
    Patient Name; Philadelphia-area hospital; guest name, address, phone, country, and emailA member of the Guest party has discussed with a HOSTS for HOSPITALS representative requirements pertaining to lodging at a Host-homeWITNESS THE EXECUTION HEREOF as a document under the seal at Gladwyne, Pennsylvania thisGuest SignatureAge of patient; patient gender; primary ethnic heritage(s); household annual income

    Have ready

    • For every guest age 18 or older, provide a healthcare provider's name and phone number for a character reference; applicants outside the United States must have the provider email the reference on medical-office letterhead.

After you send

Allow several days for normal placement when possible; respond promptly if staff cannot reach an adult guest's reference. After receiving the host's contact details, contact the host within 24 hours and confirm 48 hours before arrival. If you have not heard back by then, write and ask.

Full record, as published